California Passes Laws Targeting Addictive Social Media Features for Children
California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a host of new laws on Thursday, targeting addictive social media features, safeguarding minors’ online privacy, and restricting artificial intelligence companions.
Targeting Addictive Engineering and Infinite Scrolling
The core of the legislative package focuses on changing how minors interact with digital interfaces rather than issuing a total ban on platforms. According to Governor Gavin Newsom, California’s approach directly addresses the underlying mechanics of tech addiction instead of enforcing age limits that can easily be bypassed. Last year, Australia implemented a ban on social media for children under 16, a policy Newsom argued is less effective because it fails to fix the underlying engineering.
Assemblyman Josh Lowenthal, a Long Beach Democrat who authored key bills in the package including AB 1709, noted that children spend an average of five hours a day on social media. Lowenthal stated that public concern has crossed political and demographic lines, creating a demand for direct regulatory action. AB 1709 requires platforms to offer alternatives such as chronological timelines that lack mainstream, habit-forming hooks. Parents and children will also gain pathways to pursue civil penalties and damages if a minor is harmed, under accompanying proposals.
AI Companions and Criminal Sanctions for Deepfakes
Beyond traditional social media scrolling, the newly enacted laws address emerging risks tied to artificial intelligence. According to reports from Tempo, one measure establishes strict parental controls for AI chatbot programs, while another completely bans toys containing embedded AI chatbots. Furthermore, the legislative package introduces criminal sanctions targeting any digitally altered or AI-generated content that depicts a minor engaged in sexual conduct.
Tech industry groups have raised concerns regarding potential First Amendment challenges and liability risks stemming from the new civil penalty framework. Meanwhile, Meta issued a statement to AFP emphasizing the company’s commitment to providing safe teen experiences with proper guardrails already in place. These state-level mandates arrive as international bodies also weigh interventions, with European Union Chief Ursula von der Leyen noting that the EU is considering access limits ranging from under-13 restrictions to broader bans for children under 15.
Enforcement, Legal Challenges, and Compliance Support
Enforcing compliance across complex algorithmic systems demands rigorous oversight.
